Chapter 13.2: The Northern Renaissance
Ch.13.2 Essential Questions: What were the origins and characteristics of the Northern Renaissance? What was the impact of the Renaissance on German and Flemish painters? Who were some of the key Northern Renaissance writers? What were the origins of the Elizabethan Age? How did printing and publishing affect social reforms?
Where are we talking about? Northern Europe; specifically- England France Germany Flanders (present day Netherlands and part of northern France)
When are we talking about? By about the mid to late 1400s, the Renaissance had begun to spread from Italy northward. There are several reasons for this.
Why did it spread? Travelling artists brought their ideas and innovations with them. Wars between France and Italy, though destructive, allowed northern Europeans to view the explosion of creativity going on in Italy The invention of the printing press quickened the spread of ideas
Why did it spread? (continued) Population grew quickly now that the bubonic plague had passed (for the most part!) The Hundred Years War ended in 1453; as a result, cities grow rapidly No war means more money is available for other goods and luxuries (like artwork)
The tone of the Northern Renaissance, however, is different from what was seen in Italy. While wealthy merchants and rich, independent citystates led the way in Italy, this was not the case in the north. Due in part to the plague and the Hundred Years War, northern Europe had strong centralized power structures in the form of monarchies. They didn t have uppity city-states. Thus, it was mainly the kings and some nobles who were responsible for the Renaissance s spread there, It s also more religious there.
Art Art followed the Italian techniques and used a lot of perspective and realism. German Artists: Albrecht Durer- known for woodcuts; engravings; religious subjects and classical myths Hans Holbein the Younger- portrait painter in photographic detail (patrons included Henry VIII) Flemish Artists: Jan van Eyck- used oil paints/main layers, a technique still used today; use of realistic detail Pieter Breugel the Elder- known for realistic detail and portrayal of the individual even in large crowds; painted everyday scenes of life.
Albrecht Durer- Self Portrait
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Hans Holbein (the Younger) The Ambassadors
Look at the detail: Sir Thomas More
Jan van Eyck The Ghent Altarpiece- A tryptic (3 panels)
The Arnolfini Wedding
Peasant Wedding Pieter Breugel the Elder
Tower of Babel
Fall of Icarus
Census at Bethlehem
Compare and Contrast Flemish and German Painters Venn-diagram Activity
Literature Writing also goes humanist, but, like with the rest, with a Christian bent, giving rise to Christian Humanism. Human freedom and individualism are compatible with Christianity. Human existence isn t valued merely in itself. The main idea was to reform society Education was important- schools for boys and girls were founded
Christian Humanists -Erasmus (the Father of Humanism ); wrote The Praise of Follypokes fun at corrupt priests and greedy merchants.
Christian Humanists Thomas More, author of Utopia- tried to portray a model society, free of greed and vice
Women s Reforms Christine de Pizan called for women to be educated. Spoke out against different treatment for boys and girls
The Elizabethan Age mid-1500s England Named after the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603) Patron who did much to support English art and literature
William Shakespeare Greatest playwright of all time Revered the classics and used them in his plots (ex: Julius Caesar) Cleverly revealed human nature in scenes of dramatic conflict by exposing the human flaw Macbeth, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet
Gutenberg and the printing press The printing press is one of the greatest inventions in history. Invented by Johann Gutenberg in 1440 Previously, literary works had to be transcribed by hand, usually by monks. It was tedious, time-consuming work and made books very expensive. The printing press allowed works to be cheaply massproduced. Suddenly the written word could be accessible to the masses.
Legacy of the Renaissance 1.Changes in the Arts Imitated art techniques/styles from classical Greece and Rome Painting/sculptures become more realistic/lifelike Artists incorporate both religious and secular subjects into their work Writers write in the vernacular Arts once again praised individual achievement
Legacy of the Renaissance, continued 2. Changes in Society Impact of the printing press similar to modern day impact of the internet and world-wide web Published works of new discoveries, maps and charts led to further discoveries in a variety of fields Published laws and court records made the people much more aware of their rights Christian humanists attempted reforms in society People began to QUESTION political structures and religious practices
Which of these events do you believe were the most important? Why? List your top 10 events with your rationale. 10 being the least important and 1 being the most important